Safe Driving Tip: Everything is Bigger in Texas, Including Our Overpasses

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Car Wreck Lawyer Brian Brunson - Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer

Texas is well-known for its impressively tall overpasses, which often spark curiosity among residents and visitors alike. San Antonio, however, joined the trend of these towering structures a bit later, with its first modern “Texas-style” overpasses beginning to emerge in the early 2000s. Before this development, the tallest overpasses in the city reached around 65 feet. Now, there are five overpasses featuring heights that soar to at least 80 feet, and with two more currently being built that will exceed 120 feet, these new additions will rank among the highest in the state.

Safely driving on tall overpasses.

In Texas, we don’t often experience heavy snowfall or icy conditions, but last week proved that it can happen. When it does, it’s really important to be careful when you’re driving over bridges. Unlike regular streets and highways that are made of concrete and are insulated from the ground, bridges are exposed to cold air from both sides. This means they can cool down faster, especially if they span over water, making them more likely to freeze and become slippery before other roadways do.

Another thing to realize is that bridges often feature narrower lanes compared to standard roads. This can leave you with very limited space to maneuver if you encounter a pothole or any other obstacle in your lane. As a result, you might be at a higher risk for a tire blowout, which could lead to a rear-end crash.

Lastly, what drivers are doing below you is just as important. A bridge underpass can have a height limit that isn’t found on regular roads, which is important for truck and commercial vehicle drivers to know. If a driver of a commercial vehicle disregards the warning signs before reaching the bridge, they risk damaging the top of their vehicle or even getting stuck. This situation could also lead to a rear-end crash, creating even more problems.

Is there a structural need for overpasses to be so tall?

In Texas, overpasses are commonly referred to as “stack” interchanges, which are frequently utilized for urban freeway connections. San Antonio features three older stack interchanges that were constructed in the 1960s: two located on I-10 south of downtown and one at the intersection of I-37 and Loop 410. These structures reach a maximum height of about 65 feet, which is significantly lower than the newer stack interchanges. This difference in height can be attributed to a couple of factors. Firstly, the older designs were built with minimal clearance between the levels, typically around 15 or 16 feet, while modern interchanges are designed with extra clearance for safety and to meet the requirements of the state’s freight network. Secondly, the older interchanges utilized shorter bridge spans and smaller girders, usually under five feet tall. In contrast, contemporary interchanges are designed with fewer columns and longer spans, necessitating larger girders that can be eight or nine feet high. This combination of larger girders and increased clearance contributes to the greater height of today’s stack interchanges.

One reason modern interchanges are taller than older ones is that they are built to support faster traffic. This means the ramps need to be banked more steeply, which can increase their height by several feet. Additionally, it’s important to keep a smooth and consistent slope throughout the interchange to ensure that vehicles can pass over different levels without too much bumpiness. Sometimes, this requires the structure to be built higher than necessary just to maintain that smooth grade. The natural landscape around the interchange can also contribute to the height, as adjustments may be needed to fit the terrain. However, the biggest factor for the towering interchanges in Texas is the presence of frontage roads. To integrate these continuous roads into the interchange design, it often necessitates adding another level, which can elevate the structure by 25 feet or more, resulting in interchanges that exceed 100 feet in height.

If you’ve been involved in an accident on a Texas bridge or overpass, contact us today.

Named one of the “Best Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas” by Expertise.com, Brian Brunson is Dallas personal injury attorney who is dedicated to helping clients who have suffered a car, truck, or motorcycle injury through the negligent or wrongful conduct of other drivers. In addition, his professionalism is unmatched and the firms’ client reviews speak for themselves.

We proudly serve the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and surrounding areas, our office supports the legal needs of a wide variety of clients. Let the Law Office of Brian Brunson be your advocate in your time of need and help you put your life back together. If we can’t win or settle your case, you don’t pay a dime! We know it can be daunting to take that first step after you’ve been hurt. Contact Brian Brunson today via email or call us toll-free at 1-844-41-WRECK. We can help, when no one else will.